Sell to Chinese Market: Mastering 3 Key Challenges

Hello folks, Feng Cheng here! I was born in Hong Kong and have spent the last 20 years living in Vancouver, Canada. The past ten years have been dedicated helping brands enter the Chinese market. As a result, you are in an excellent spot to sell to the Chinese market. It won’t be simple, I can guarantee you of that, but move cautiously forward. Our team is supporting you.

Background

Hey folks, Fung Cheng here. Before we dive into solving those key problems to sell to the Chinese market, let’s get a quick background check. Why? Because it’s essential to comprehend the environment if you want to sell in the Chinese market. It’s not just another market; it’s a giant teeming with possibilities that might completely alter the way you conduct business.

Why therefore market to the Chinese people? Let me simplify things for you. First of all, the market’s enormous scale is staggering. There are 1.4 billion potential clients in this scenario. You did really hear correctly! That is a sizable number of potential customers for your goods. So you can’t just ignore the potential of the Chinese market when it comes to eCommerce. If you operate in international eCommerce or are an Amazon FBA seller, I can promise you that here is where the gold rush is happening.

Another reason to sell to the Chinese market is the rising middle class. These folks have got money, and guess what? They love quality products. They have a specific fondness for multinational businesses and are eager to spend their hard-earned money on luxury goods. As a result, if you buy your possessions from China, this provides the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the current circumstances.

Let’s not overlook technology at this point. China is quite technologically advanced, and online sales are skyrocketing. So much so that even my 80-year-old grandma is able to pay for her groceries using WeChat! The key takeaway is that if you nail the proper method, you can reach these tech-savvy customers directly. And that’s what the eCommerce industry refers to as a home run.

In conclusion, given that the Chinese market is prepared, the time to sell there is now. If you execute it well, you’re opening up a gold mine in addition to a new stream of money. Therefore, let’s start by tackling the key problems that are blocking you from making an impact in China!

Understanding the Magnitude of the Chinese Market

Let’s get something straight; we all know the Chinese market is huge. Monumentally enormous! Everyone hopes to get a share of the action. The first and most important is that numerous companies put on beginning because they don’t know where to begin. I can tell you that there are numerous important problems that need to be handled because I sold in the Chinese market. So why don’t we commence right away?

How Will Potential Chinese Customers Find You?

Now, in the West, we have Google, Facebook, YouTube, you name it. Unfortunately, these platforms don’t really exist in China. So, your usual advertising strategies won’t work there. In China, it’s a whole new ballgame. Instead of Google SEO, we’ve got Baidu SEO, and for social media, there’s Weibo and Douyin.

Remember, if you want potential Chinese customers to find you, it’s time for a new game plan. Your approach needs to be localized. For instance, while we might be okay with responding to an email inquiry within a day or two in Western countries, in China, folks expect an instant response. Yup, you heard that right! You need a local team to manage daily inquiries; otherwise, you’re going to appear unreliable, and trust me, that’s not a label you want.

Where Can They Learn More About You?

You could be thinking, “Hey, I’ve got an English website, what more do I need?” That simply does not suffice to sell to the Chinese market, though. Let me give it to you straight: you need a Chinese website. First, there’s a language barrier. Sure, many Chinese individuals are proficient in English, but they’ll feel much more comfortable if your brand is presented in their native language.

Secondly, you need to localize your brand. Just having your name translated into Chinese doesn’t cut it. You have to understand the nuances of the Chinese culture and adapt your messaging accordingly. Otherwise, you’re just going to appear like you’re not serious about entering the market, and you’ll lose potential customers before even starting.

How to Build Trust in the Chinese Market?

Getting a Chinese website and a WeChat Public Account are fantastic steps in the right direction. Building trust is necessary if you want to sell to the Chinese market. Similar to Facebook or Twitter, WeChat Public Accounts are locations within the WeChat ecosystem where you can post updates. You can utilize this platform to promote your company’s name, goods, and principles.

But when you interact with your audience, the real magic happens. Consider that your company has a Facebook account, but that when a customer visits, they only see 10 likes. Do people believe you? Nah, probably not. The same goes for Chinese social media platforms like WeChat and Weibo. Active and high-engagement platforms reflect a trustworthy business.

Lack of Social Media Presence in China

Ah, social media, the boon and bane of our lives! I’ll stop here, but I was merely letting people know that I am aware of how extensively Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are used by you. Even if the psychology of buying and selling things is the same everywhere, using American signs to join the Chinese market is unlikely to be successful.

You see, Chinese consumers basically cannot see you if you are not participating on Weibo or WeChat. Even if you have an account, but zero followers or engagement, that raises eyebrows. Trust me, you want to get active on these platforms, not just for visibility but to genuinely engage with your audience. Talk about your products, educate them on industry trends, and build that ever-so-important authority.

No Affiliations with KOLs and KOCs

Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and Key Opinion Consumers (KOCs)—these are the influencers of China, and they pack a punch! Don’t just let me or my brand do the talking; it’s crucial to have these folks chat about you too. Their endorsement can make a world of difference when you’re planning to sell to the Chinese market.

Collaborate with these influencers to review your product, do unboxing videos, or share expert tips. This isn’t just about throwing money at them; it’s about building real relationships that can push your brand into the Chinese consumer space.

Absence of Local Media Coverage

Ah, the power of good old PR. We get it, in the Western business world, public relations is a staple. But you’ve got to translate that success to China. To sell to the Chinese market, get local media on your side. Whether it’s industry-specific platforms or general news outlets, having them cover your brand or product increases your credibility massively.

You don’t have to start big; even a small feature can build momentum and make local customers trust you more. The name of the game here is trust, and nothing builds trust like validation from trusted sources.

Beyond These Problems: Logistics, IP Protection, and More

Okay, so you’ve tackled these issues head-on, but hold your horses! The road to sell to the Chinese market has more challenges, such as Intellectual Property protection, understanding logistics and warehousing, and formulating an effective business model. Additionally, don’t undervalue the impact of localisation. My friends, if you don’t modify your goods or services to meet regional needs and customs, you’re swimming against the current.

Let’s Discuss Your Unique Needs

I have something special for those of you who are really interested in breaking the code to sell to the Chinese market. I’m giving a free consultation call to discuss your specific issues, potential course of action, and solutions that meet your company’s goals if you fill out the contact form below. And what’s this? For the first twenty persons who get in touch with us, this offer is free.

So stop wasting time now. Fill out that form, and don’t forget to join my email list for further advice on how to successfully penetrate the Chinese market.That’s all I got for tonight; thanks for being such awesome. I’m eager to hear from you all and work with you to overcome these challenges. I’ll see you later for now.

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